Wins

GMSR has a stellar track record and reputation as writs and appeals attorneys. Below is a sample of recent wins for our clients.

Apr 24, 2020 Laurie J. Hepler Professional Malfeasance, Tort Litigation

GMSR wins a published decision for our tech-executive client, following his win at trial against a deceitful real estate agent

GMSR wins a published decision for our tech-executive client, following his win at trial against a deceitful real estate agent. The agent’s appeal conceded liability for misleading our client into a major purchase-renovation deal on false pretenses—but he attacked all the remedies. He said the

Feb 28, 2020 Cynthia E. Tobisman, Robert A. Olson Insurance Law, Tort Litigation

GMSR obtains $2.8 million appellate victory for workers’ compensation carrier

GMSR’s client, a workers’ compensation carrier, paid benefits to an injured employee of its insured, a security company. The employee sued others for negligence, including the university where he had been assigned to work for a number of years. The jury found the university at

Nov 11, 2019 Robert A. Olson, Cynthia E. Tobisman Attorney Fees Litigation, Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal reverses compensatory and punitive damages and private attorney general fees in bed bug case

GMSR’s client, the defendant hotel, admitted negligence after plaintiffs were briefly exposed to bed bugs in their hotel room. The jury returned a verdict awarding substantial compensatory damages and punitive damages on an intentional infliction of emotional distress claim for one plaintiff, and compensatory damages

Oct 02, 2019 Robert A. Olson Civil Procedure, Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s property owner client

Plaintiff filed a negligence action against GMSR’s client, a shopping center owner, alleging that he was injured when he walked into a pole in a landscaped area separating a parking lot from the sidewalk. A jury found in favor of the property owner. Plaintiff appealed,

Sep 17, 2019 Robin Meadow Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal grants motion to dismiss appeal from summary judgment in favor of GMSR’s utility client

Plaintiffs’ mother was struck by a car while crossing a street near a streetlight that was cycling on and off. GMSR’s client, Southern California Edison, serviced the streetlight. Plaintiffs sued, alleging that Edison negligently failed to keep the streetlight working properly. On summary judgment, the

Jul 08, 2019 Robin Meadow Civil Procedure, Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal affirms judgment for GMSR’s utility client, finding no basis for liability following firefighter’s accident.

A firefighter was electrocuted when he touched the firetruck he was working on at the same time his crewmember rotated the truck’s aerial ladder into a 25-foot-high power line owned by GMSR’s client, Southern California Edison. The firefighter sued, alleging that Edison negligently failed to

Mar 28, 2019 Robin Meadow, Cynthia E. Tobisman Business Litigation, Civil Procedure, Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal reverses denial of jury trial, refusing to apply New York law

GMSR’s clients sued their lender for destroying their business by reneging on a promise to provide additional funding. The lender cross-complained for an alleged $113 million deficiency following foreclosure on the security for its loans. The trial court rejected the clients’ demand for a jury.

Jan 15, 2019 Robert A. Olson, Gary J. Wax Labor & Employment/Agency, Tort Litigation

Employer owes no duty to the general public to keep drug-addled employee at work through the end of his shift or to prevent him from driving intoxicated after being told to leave the premises.

Pryor et al. v. Fitness International, LLC (Jan 3, 2019, B287329) [nonpublished opinion]. An employee of GMSR’s client, a health club, took heroin during his work-shift. Finding him no longer fit to perform his job, the health club’s manager ordered him to leave the premises.

Jul 23, 2018 Robin Meadow, David E. Hackett Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal refuses to order new trial of multi-million dollar tort suit against GMSR’s utility client

A car crashed into the back of a laundromat, damaging the building’s structure and electrical panel. GMSR’s client, Southern California Edison, sent a representative to inspect the panel and he decided to leave the electrical power turned on. The next day, while repairing structural damage,

Jun 20, 2018 Timothy T. Coates, Edward L. Xanders (Ted) Civil Procedure, Labor & Employment/Agency, Tort Litigation

Court of Appeal reverses $13.9 million jury award and orders entry of defense judgment for GMSR’s client in employee commuting case

Plaintiff was injured in a car accident with a Los Angeles County deputy public defender who was on his way home from work. Although employers are generally not liable for accidents arising from an employee’s commute, the plaintiff sued GMSR’s client, the County, contending it

Who We Serve

PUBLIC ENTITIES

Whether on appeal, assisting trial counsel, or advising government officials contemplating legislative action, GMSR provides unique insight into the complex laws that impact public entities.

INSURERS

Where coverage may exist, GMSR represents insureds on appeal effectively and efficiently. Where it does not, the firm protects insurers’ right to deny claims.

BUSINESSES

GMSR offers corporate clients objective assessments on appeal, based on a deep understanding of the limitations and opportunities of appellate review.